High End Amp Price Collapse musings

I agree that class D is not there yet. There was a time when flat panel and digital projection could not hold a candle to CRT particularily in black level. Discerning home theatre enthusiasts would still put up with huge, heavy, inefficient CRT displays to get that black level. Once digital got close the value of CRT plummeted. At that time one could pick up high end CRT displays and projectors for dirt cheap. Arguably these displays still out performed all but the very best digital systems and it was heaven for those on a tight budget.
I agree this is a way off for amplification but I do believe the time is coming.

I compare the two because I am very familiar wit CRT and its slow demise. I see the amp situation to be somewhat similiar.
I agree vinyl is very alive and I agree Class D is not ready for high end prime time. I dont believe high end class A ala Krell, Pass etc will ever disappear. I just see the possibility of breakthroughs in Class D as a great thing for budget USED high end if Class D ever becomes the standard. To say it will never happen or that it absolutely will happen is folly.
The title is High End Amp Price Collapse musings and you are correct. Musing could be substituted for Mental Gymnastics.
This is nothing serious....just fun.

Although I did say I was waiting I know I can't. Ill lose my mind.My Aragon 8008 (admittedly not true high end) has been at the shop for 6 weeks now and I’m suffering withdrawl.
If it isn’t ready soon or can’t be economically repaired I will buy something similar. Nope..Not class D. Maybe by the time my next upgrade is due Class D will be the standard and I'll be able to afford that Pass Labs 250x I drool so heavily over.

Some of you miss the point. The point is simple. As Class D advances it will eat into the high end class A market.  We have seen this already happening to a small degree. Some people on this thread indicate they already switched.
Once Class D is close enough in quality even some of the deep pocket Krell, Pass etc guys will switch.
Once that happens they will sell thier existing gear which will gradually bring the value of that existing gear down giving not so deep pockets the chance to own true high end as it exists today.

So it seems that you have ZERO interest in this Class D amplifier technology. You simply want everyone else to buy into the Class D amplifier technology, and just "give" you their nasty old Class A A/B amplifiers. 
Nice thread synopsis!

Perhaps we can convince folks to dump their silly, heavy, full range analog loudspeakers next. Obviously digital speakers are the wave of the future. 
Maybe we can buy a pair of Magico S7's for a couple hundred bucks!!  

Believe in something hard enough, and maybe you can make it happen!! ;^)

BTW, my Pass Labs XA-100.5's do sound

terrfic

I actually am intetested in the class D technology. Give it a bit more time. Bottom line is that the equipment that sounds amazing today will still sound amazing into the future. Thats great for everyone.
I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish I could get high end equipment cheap lol. Having said that; if prices drop on any used audio the value of all my equipment drops as well:)
Your pass labs is certainly a piece I would be proud to have although at this time I cant afford it. 
Something tells me I won't really be convincing the masses to dump thier silly equipment. That wasn't the intention. It really was a simple musing/speculation. Having said that I do see your interpretation. Over....